Please consider the possibility you have done quite well with this young man....... and we are all proud of you for resisting to urge to run off with that circus as a clown..... the temptation must have been great!
What a lovely story about such a wonderful young man and his family. I am so glad to know you and Exsel. Thanks for sharing this story and keep the stories about Exsel coming.
I'm sure you did great, but to your question on whether teens today have more reason to be depressed, anxious, etc, than "back in your century, Pak Trules", I'd remind of the following key differences in your and Axsel's generational youth experiences:
1. Social media -- by far more anxiety-invoking and consumating than the equivalent ICT media of the last century.
2. Economic risk: debt (overinflated housing prices; astronomical student debt; the tyranny financial and the 'credit score') and the associated risk of financial ruin for middle class youths are far more salient thought for people in Axsel's generation than for the members of the American capitalist golden age (which, not coincidentally, was actually not that capitalist at all in hindsight).
3. The great financial crisis of 2008, and the nakedness of the legalised plutocratic corruption that it revealed. This had no parallel in the experience of young baby boomers, and it has burbed youths' sense of a bright future. The future, for them, appears like a never-ending chase after debt repayments and an escalating dog-eat-dog corporate work experience.
4. Finally, the perceived threat of fascism at home (Trump...) in combination with impending global climate collapse are themselves generationally formative experiences. Granted, one could draw a mitigating comparison to the nuclear threat of the Cold War and dismiss these as "this generation's existential scares". But somehow, this time around feels different -- and probably is different. Nuclear exchanges with the Soviets was something opposed by all ordinary Americans, including nearly all politicians. Fascism and climate collapse, on the other hand, are either championed, or staight out denied, by significant sections of the country and its political class. What is more, the institutional mechanisms that could prevent these from happening are mostly captured by various private interest groups for whom these catastrophes are good business. As far as I know, there were no "Pro-Nuclear-War" Super-PACs in the 1960s, and even Nixon didn't go on stage to declare that the threat of nuclear war was a hoax concocted by "radical-left Democrats"...
Compounding the sense of a helpless, bleak future is the understanding that, independently from any US achivements in reining in its own emissions, preventing climate breakdown would require other countries to play ball, which is also not a given.
Now that’s quite an analysis, Dr. Morav! Although I don’t argue with u, I do sort of doubt that much of it is relevant to my son, other than the hypnotizing effects of his electronic products and social media. The rest… I either believe that he’s… unaware of… or not yet affected.
...tiger father begets tiger son...boys are perhaps beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of eighteen months and ninety years... salutations to y'all 🤸
I'm happy for all of you! Happy Birthday Exsel! I too was adopted into a loving family,the luckiest break I ever got, you seem to be handling it way better than I!
Thanks for reminding me to enjoy the journey of the opportunities, gratitude, challenges, growth, patience, etc. we get with family. Continued success to the three of you.
Happy 17 th birthday to Exsel. One thing for sure…. He is loved dearly by many…. and especially by my brother, Pak Trules, who learned how to be a father at the ripe age of 69.
Whattatrip! Never had any doubts about Pak Trules: ornery when he wants to be, got everything a Dad needs to be. 🙏🏽🥰
And THIS, from “Dr. Bobbha”, who knows me a lonnnnnng fxxxking time. He should know of what he speaks!
Please consider the possibility you have done quite well with this young man....... and we are all proud of you for resisting to urge to run off with that circus as a clown..... the temptation must have been great!
You know me too well, Jim. I’m writing this from St. Louis Missouri. ❤️ Gino
What a lovely story about such a wonderful young man and his family. I am so glad to know you and Exsel. Thanks for sharing this story and keep the stories about Exsel coming.
Thanks, Amy! I'm happy to share my family with you. Somehow you've always seemed to know about us -- through one restaurant or another!!!
And yes, I will!
What a great and sweet story, your mushy Daddy love shines through your gruff exterior A+++++Your #1 fan Trisha
You’re right on, Trisha. Being a Dad makes me a soft touch!
I'm sure you did great, but to your question on whether teens today have more reason to be depressed, anxious, etc, than "back in your century, Pak Trules", I'd remind of the following key differences in your and Axsel's generational youth experiences:
1. Social media -- by far more anxiety-invoking and consumating than the equivalent ICT media of the last century.
2. Economic risk: debt (overinflated housing prices; astronomical student debt; the tyranny financial and the 'credit score') and the associated risk of financial ruin for middle class youths are far more salient thought for people in Axsel's generation than for the members of the American capitalist golden age (which, not coincidentally, was actually not that capitalist at all in hindsight).
3. The great financial crisis of 2008, and the nakedness of the legalised plutocratic corruption that it revealed. This had no parallel in the experience of young baby boomers, and it has burbed youths' sense of a bright future. The future, for them, appears like a never-ending chase after debt repayments and an escalating dog-eat-dog corporate work experience.
4. Finally, the perceived threat of fascism at home (Trump...) in combination with impending global climate collapse are themselves generationally formative experiences. Granted, one could draw a mitigating comparison to the nuclear threat of the Cold War and dismiss these as "this generation's existential scares". But somehow, this time around feels different -- and probably is different. Nuclear exchanges with the Soviets was something opposed by all ordinary Americans, including nearly all politicians. Fascism and climate collapse, on the other hand, are either championed, or staight out denied, by significant sections of the country and its political class. What is more, the institutional mechanisms that could prevent these from happening are mostly captured by various private interest groups for whom these catastrophes are good business. As far as I know, there were no "Pro-Nuclear-War" Super-PACs in the 1960s, and even Nixon didn't go on stage to declare that the threat of nuclear war was a hoax concocted by "radical-left Democrats"...
Compounding the sense of a helpless, bleak future is the understanding that, independently from any US achivements in reining in its own emissions, preventing climate breakdown would require other countries to play ball, which is also not a given.
Now that’s quite an analysis, Dr. Morav! Although I don’t argue with u, I do sort of doubt that much of it is relevant to my son, other than the hypnotizing effects of his electronic products and social media. The rest… I either believe that he’s… unaware of… or not yet affected.
All those times you had us act like five year-olds in improv class -- and you SKIP past age five as a parent!
I have a feeling I may be doing something similar.
Well, it was something that I DIDN’T have to learn. Hell, I’d already been a CLOWN🤩🤪
...tiger father begets tiger son...boys are perhaps beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of eighteen months and ninety years... salutations to y'all 🤸
You FIGURED IT OUT & LEFT A COMMENT!!! CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU!!!
Salutations back, wee Scottish Lassie/Faierie Princess.
Of course! you gave me too much credit,it was all Alex!
It was YOUR idea to get the wood piano!!!!
I'm happy for all of you! Happy Birthday Exsel! I too was adopted into a loving family,the luckiest break I ever got, you seem to be handling it way better than I!
It's not w/o its "moments", Bob! Did u notice your "shout out"????
Thanks for reminding me to enjoy the journey of the opportunities, gratitude, challenges, growth, patience, etc. we get with family. Continued success to the three of you.
My main man, Ted. I'm glad that reading my posts resonates with you. Thanks, as always, for your personal and generous Comments!
Happy 17 th birthday to Exsel. One thing for sure…. He is loved dearly by many…. and especially by my brother, Pak Trules, who learned how to be a father at the ripe age of 69.
Thanks, my Seeeeester❤️❤️